Rosehall Run X The Drake Team up

The Drake is excited to be working with Rosehall Run on a new house wine and who better to give you the run down than someone who knows the wine barrels inside and out. Kat Nyman of Rosehall Run introduces Flop House.

A commitment to working with passionate and local producers to strengthen community ties is something that The Drake and one of Prince Edward County’s founding wineries, Rosehall Run, have long held in common.

When the Drake Devonshire opened in Wellington in 2015, The Drake was looking for a local* partner in Prince Edward County to solidify its new home in a unique “County” way. Enter a partnership with Rosehall Run that saw veteran winemaker and founder of Rosehall Run, Dan Sullivan, creating custom wine blends for Drake Devonshire. The Vintner’s Daughter (a red and a white) successfully pay homage to the agricultural heritage and authenticity of “The County” (a commitment to both is obligatory around here).

And now, the team is back together. Last Fall on a patio overlooking Rosehall Run’s 25 acre vineyard, Dan sat down with Jeff Stober to imagine a new line of premium wines at all Drake locations in both Toronto (The Drake Hotel, Drake One Fifty) and Prince Edward County (Drake Devonshire). Senior Management (including Director of Food & Beverage Sarah Lyons and Corporate Executive Chef Ted Corrado) at The Drake were tasked with joining Dan in the cellar with a “nothing off limits” promise to be able to pull from any barrel in order to make a truly exceptional wine. The result – the best “house pour” going.

Fast forward a few months and lo, bottles of “Flop House” now sit atop the bars in all three locations (soon to be four, with Drake Commissary). The name “Flop House” is a nod to The Drake’s humble beginnings on Queen Street West and those of the vineyards at Rosehall which were once “the back 40” of a local family’s farm (my family’s farm, actually). The estate grown, barrel select Flop House Chardonnay and Flop House Pinot Noir, elegantly showcase the purposeful winemaking taking place in Dan’s cellar.

The Flop House Chardonnay shows bright tree fruit with hints of tropical fruit along with toasty vanilla on the nose; on the palate is dry, lively acidity with lush creamy oak character, richly layered with pear, peach, sweet pineapple vanilla oak flavours with a long creamy lingering finish.

The Flop House Pinot Noir shows delicate red berries and hints of earthy undertone on the nose; on the palate layered berry-plum, black tea, fresh herbs and toasty vanilla with a lively acidity, earthy minerality and a long lingering finish.

This attention to detail conveniently echoes the thoughtful design touches at The Drake and the unique sense of hospitality that has been created at both The Drake and Rosehall Run.

The friendship that The Drake and Rosehall Run enjoy extends to the Drake staff members who pull off of the 401 especially to drop into the winery on a long road trip or members of the Rosehall Run team who drop into the bar at the Hotel (find me there, always) to unwind after the trek into “The City”. A synergy that exists between two authentic (and often wild) businesses is a beautiful thing, indeed.

*(As the rule goes in The County, you’re not a “local” unless you were born here – but if you work at it we’ll let you stay awhile.)

This collab isn't complete without you! Experience Flop House for yourself when Rosehall Run pops up along with more of our PEC pals this Sunday! Join us for $5 eats and summery beats w/ indie rock band Sun K + pop-ups from our fav local wineries at Drake Devonshire's Summer Kick-Off on MAY 21 @ 2-6PM_FREE! ⠀